Jolie's Unbroken to shoot in Queensland

Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, her second film as a director, will shoot in Queensland, Australia.

Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling novel, Unbroken tells the true story of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.

The film stars Jack O’Connell as Zamperini, alongside Garrett Hedlund, Domhnall Gleeson and Finn Wittrock.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said that the film was attracted to Queensland under Screen Queensland’s Production Incentive programme and the quality of facilities at Village Roadshow including the water tank, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Walker commented: “This is great news for Queensland and the Queensland film industry. Unbroken is projected to contribute millions to the Queensland economy. It will increase the skills and experience of local crews and talent and boost employment as well as economic benefits for wider businesses and the flow on effect for tourism.

“It’s a great opportunity on so many levels, including our chance to host a star of the calibre of Angelina Jolie and for Queensland to show what a great state it is for film production.”

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Angelina Jolie’s film Unbroken to Queensland. It is testament to the many unique locations and quality of crew that we have to offer,” added Ms Jennie Hughes, COO Screen Queensland.

Universal Pictures has scheduled the movie for release in the US on Christmas Day 2014.